JPH072514B2 - Equipment for beverage dispensing systems - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to containers for dispensing liquids,
And more particularly, it relates to a disposable package and actuation closure cap assembly for use in a post-mix soft drink type beverage dispensing system.

In summary, the invention is a removable package for dispensing syrup in a post-mix soft drink dispensing system and an actuating closure mechanism therefor. The package includes an upper body portion with a lower discharge portion extending outwardly and includes a generally horizontal discharge port. The closure assembly includes a moveable outer cap member pivotally mounted to the face member. The face member fits over the discharge port and includes a syrup outlet and an air inlet. The cap member includes means for closing both openings when in contact with the face member. An actuator including a spring biased roller contacts the cap member when the ejection action is required such that the cap member is swung outwardly from the face member by the roller, exposing the syrup outlet and the air inlet.
When the ejection operation is completed, the rollers drive the cap member into contact with the face member and reseal the opening.

Post-mix beverage dispensers are generally known and a common type of such device is a commercial post-mix beverage dispenser unit designed for high volume commercial use, such as is used in fast food restaurants. is there.
However, recently, attempts have been made in the industry to reduce the cost, size and weight of such beverage dispensing units in order to make them available to the public for personal use.

Further, such a device includes a disposable package for dispensing liquid, such as a syrup mixture that is subsequently mixed with carbonated water at a mixing head located adjacent the discharge outlet. In order for such a system to be acceptable to the consumer, the supply of these ingredients must be able to be quickly and easily replenished, even by relatively unskilled users. Furthermore, the syrup ingredients must be available in the form of disposable packages that can be replaced quickly and easily, for example in supermarkets. An example of a disposable syrup package used in a small post-mix beverage distribution system is 19
It is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,885 issued to JK Sedam on August 12, 1980. This patent was assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement in a post-mix beverage dispense system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improvement in a removable container for dispensing liquid in a post-mix beverage dispense system.

It is an even further object of the invention to provide an improvement in the closure means associated with the package used in conjunction with the post-mix beverage distribution system.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a removable and disposable package and closure that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and reliable in operation, so that the beverage dispensing system is relatively maintenance free. Incorporated in.

Briefly, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a disposable package of a container for dispensing liquid, such as a syrup, and an actuating closure mechanism, and in a broader sense, an upper portion with a lower discharge portion extending outwardly. It includes a body portion and includes a generally horizontal ejection opening or port that projects. The closure assembly includes a moveable outer cap member pivotally mounted to the face member. The face member fits over the discharge port and includes a syrup outlet and an air inlet. The cap member includes means for closing both openings when in contact with the face member. The actuator contacts the cap member such that when the ejecting action is required, the cap member is swung outward from the face member to expose the syrup outlet and the air inlet. When the ejection operation is completed, the actuator drives the cap member into contact with the face member and reseals the opening.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when the description is next considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numbers refer to the same parts, eg, reference number 10 describes a syrup container in the form of a flexible package used in a post carbonated mixed beverage dispenser. The dispenser itself includes a generally horizontal support surface 14 and a generally vertical side surface 16.
Not shown, except for the support member 12 with.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the package 10 includes a generally rectangular upper body portion 18 that functions as a liquid reservoir for syrup or the like, and an elongated bottom wall 20. The bottom wall 20 is located on the surface 14 of the dispenser member 12 when the package is installed in the dispenser. The bottom wall 20 terminates in a rear wall 22 extending upwardly to the top wall 24. Bottom wall
The front portion of 20 terminates in a discharge portion that includes a downwardly extending front wall portion 26 having a generally horizontal end section 28. The body portion 18 further includes a front wall 30 extending downwardly from the top wall 24, where it is a wall section.
It terminates in a generally horizontal end section 32 separated from 28 and forms the top of the discharge section. A relatively small channel region 34 is provided between the bottom wall 20 and the front wall 30 for the passage of liquid downwards.

Mechanically actuated closure assembly 36 includes wall portions 28 and 32, with a pair of opposing side wall portions not shown.
Fits over the lower outlet portion of the housing 18 defined by and forms a four-sided discharge port. The closure assembly 36 includes a stationary surface member 38 and a movable cap member 40 hinged to the upper tip. The face member 38, when fitted into the body portion 18, as shown, includes the wall section 28.
And 32 and flange sections 42 that engage corresponding side wall sections not shown. The face member further includes an upper air inlet 44 and a lower liquid outlet 46. The air inlet 44 is formed by an inwardly projecting wall member 48 and the liquid outlet 46 is formed by an outwardly projecting wall member 50. Apertures 44 and 46 are generally configured as circular apertures. However, it is noted that square openings are easily formed when desired.

Further, an air check valve device 52 is attached to the inwardly projecting wall portion 48 of the air inlet 44 to allow continuous liquid flow from the outlet 46 when the cap member 40 is opened. The check valve device 52 is a “duck bill” type valve and functions to prevent the outflow of liquid from the air inlet 44 at the beginning of the liquid dispensing operation from the package 10.
However, any suitable form of check valve is used.
However, if desired, the device is eliminated in some situations where a small outflow from the air inlet 44 is acceptable.

The structure of the cap member 40 includes an inner recess 54 for fitting in an outer projecting wall portion 50 of the liquid outlet 46 and an outer projecting tip 56 for fitting into the air inlet 44 in the closed position.
Including and The outer surface 58 of the cap member 40 comprises a cam-type surface that engages the spring deflection roller 60 of the actuating mechanism to open and close the cap member on the face member 38. The elastic hinge member 62 includes the upper flange 42 of the surface member 38,
It spans the upper shoulder portion 64 of the cap member 40. However, any type of pivoting element is used.

Roller 60 is further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and includes a guide rod including a roller deflection spring 67 and a compression spring 70.
At 68, it is connected to a vertically sliding arm 66. Compression spring
70 biases the roller downwardly against the raised portion of the outer cap surface 58, closing the cap member 40 against the face member 38, thus blocking both the liquid outlet 46 and the air inlet 44. This constitutes the closing operating state of the device.

The open operating state occurs when a dispensing operation of liquid, eg syrup, is required. At such time, the roller 60 is urged upward into the recess of the cam surface 58 of the cap surface 40, where it strikes the shoulder 64. This causes the cap member to pivot and swing upwards, thus exposing the air inlet 42 and liquid outlet 46. This movement is provided in the embodiment shown by a pneumatic cylinder 72 connected to the arm 66 by a piston rod 74. The piston rod 74 retracts when air pressure is delivered to the lower portion of the pneumatic cylinder 72 by the three-way valve 76, which in one position delivers air pressure from a source not shown to the pneumatic cylinder and the other At the position of, the air pressure in the cylinder is sent to the outside atmosphere,
This causes spring 70 to again urge roller 60 to the closed position of the device, as shown in FIG.

Thus, what has been shown and described is a liquid package for acting as a syrup reservoir for a post-mix beverage distribution system, and further including a relatively simple and effective hinged closure cap assembly. The assembly is actuated by a spring loaded roller member that operates to pivotally open and close the cap member relative to a stationary surface member that includes an air inlet and a gas outlet.

Thus, while showing and describing what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that the description has been made by way of illustration, not as a limitation. Accordingly, all modifications, changes and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims are intended to be covered.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially sectional mechanical schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a first or closed operating state. 2 is a schematic view of the mechanism of the device shown in FIG. 1 in a second or open operating state. 10 …… Package 12 …… Supporting member 14 …… Supporting surface 16 …… Side surface 18 …… Upper body part 20 …… Bottom wall 22 …… Rear wall

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A package containing a liquid to be dispensed having a body portion and a liquid discharge portion having a discharge port capable of dispensing liquid, and an air inlet arranged to cover the discharge port. An actuation closure assembly having a stationary surface member having an opening and a liquid outlet opening, and a cap member pivotably mounted on the stationary surface member, wherein the air inlet is in the closed operating condition. An actuation closure assembly having means for contacting and closing the opening and the liquid outlet opening such that the cap member pivots away from the stationary surface member to expose the opening when in the open operating condition; Actuator means for pivoting the member between the closed and open operating states as described above, the actuator means contacting the cap member, the first position and the second position. An actuator means having a movable driven member for moving to a position to bring it into the closing operation state and the opening operation state, the movable driven member having a cam floor member, and the cap member A cam outer surface that contacts the cam floor member, the cam outer surface being a protruding cam surface adjacent the liquid outlet opening of the face member and a recessed cam adjacent the air inlet opening of the face member. A surface, the cap member having a shoulder member at one end adjacent the recessed cam surface, whereby the cam floor member has
An apparatus for a beverage dispensing system, characterized by contacting the recessed cam surface and the shoulder member during the opening operation.